Supporting stand

ABSTRACT

A supporting stand for supporting an item is provided. The stand includes a base for defining a substantially planar region of the stand; a lower support for supporting the item at a first distance from the base; and an upper support for supporting the item at a second, greater distance from the base. The lower and upper supports may be substantially parallel to the base, and vertically non-overlapping. The stand may include a riser wall extending between the lower and upper supports, a front wall and opposing rear wall, and first and second sidewalls extending between the front and rear walls. 
     The stand may be collapsible. The stand may include one or more of folds, flaps, fasteners, slots, corrugating medium, and an interior attachment wall for configuring the stand into an operating configuration. The stand may be stackable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to supporting an item above a surface and, inparticular, to a supporting stand for supporting the item at a heightabove the surface at which a user may comfortably use the item in thestanding position.

2. Description of Related Art

It may be convenient to use a product, notepad, tool, piece of equipmentor device, which may be a computing device such as a laptop or othertype of computer, when in the standing rather than sitting position.However, conventional tables are adapted for use in the seating positionand are generally too low to comfortably use a product or device placeddirectly on the table's top while in the standing position.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous to be able to temporarily orotherwise as needed support a product or device at a height above atabletop at which the product or device may comfortably be used in thestanding position.

SUMMARY

The above shortcomings may be addressed by providing, in accordance withone aspect of the invention, a supporting stand for supporting an item.The stand includes a base for defining a substantially planar region ofthe stand; and a support for supporting the item distal from the base.The support may include a lower support for supporting the item at afirst distance from the base. The support may include an upper supportfor supporting the item at a second distance from the base, the seconddistance being greater than the first distance.

The stand may define an enclosure extending between the base and thesupport. The lower support may be substantially planar. The uppersupport may be substantially planar. The first distance may be less thanthe second distance. The second distance may be greater than the firstdistance. The lower support and the upper support may be non-overlappingwhen viewed along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the base.

The stand may include a wall extending between the base and the support.The stand may include a front wall extending between the base and thetop. The front wall may extend between the base and the lower support.The front wall may contact the base at a front bottom edge of the stand.The front wall may contact the lower support at a front edge of thestand.

The stand may include a riser wall extending between the lower supportand the upper support. The riser wall may contact the lower support at ariser edge of the stand. The lower support may extend between the frontedge and the riser edge. The riser wall may contact the upper support ata top edge of the stand. The riser wall may extend perpendicularly tothe base.

The stand may include a sidewall extending between the base and thesupport. The sidewall may extend between the base and the lower andupper supports. The sidewall may include first and second sidewalls. Thefirst and second sidewalls may contact the base at opposing sidesthereof, respectively. The first and second sidewalls may contact thesupport at opposing sides thereof, respectively. The first and secondsidewalls may contact the lower and upper supports at opposing sidesthereof, respectively.

The front wall may extend between the first sidewall and the secondsidewall. The front wall may contact the first sidewall at a first-sidefront edge of the stand. The front wall may contact the second sidewallat a second-side front edge of the stand. The lower support may extendbetween the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The lower supportmay contact the first sidewall at a first-side lower edge of the stand.The lower support may contact the second sidewall at a second-side loweredge of the stand. The riser wall may extend between the first sidewalland the second sidewall. The riser wall may contact the first sidewallat a first-side riser edge of the stand. The first-side riser edge mayextend perpendicularly to the base. The riser wall may contact thesecond sidewall at a second-side riser edge of the stand. Thesecond-side riser edge may extend perpendicularly to the base. The uppersupport may extend between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.The upper support may contact the first sidewall at a first-side topedge of the stand. The upper support may contact the second sidewall ata second-side top edge of the stand.

The stand may include a rear wall extending between the base and thesupport. The rear wall may extend between the base and the uppersupport. The rear wall may contact the upper support at a rear top edgeof the stand. The upper support may extend between the top edge and therear top edge.

The stand may be collapsible into a collapsed configuration. The standmay be extendable into an operating configuration. The base may besubstantially planar when the stand is in its operating configuration.The base may be substantially planar only in the operatingconfiguration. The support may be distal from the base only in theoperating configuration. The lower support may be distal from the baseonly in the operating configuration. The upper support may be distalfrom the base only in the operating configuration. The first distancemay be less than the second distance only in the operatingconfiguration. The stand may be substantially planar when arranged inthe collapsed configuration.

The front wall and the lower support may be foldably attached to eachother. The front wall and the first sidewall may be foldably attached toeach other. The front wall and the second sidewall may be foldablyattached to each other. The lower support and the riser wall may befoldably attached to each other. The lower support and the firstsidewall may be foldably attached to each other. The lower support andthe second sidewall may be foldably attached to each other. The riserwall and the upper support may be foldably attached to each other. Theupper support and the rear wall may be foldably attached to each other.The upper support and the first sidewall may be foldably attached toeach other. The upper support and the second sidewall may be foldablyattached to each other. The rear wall and the first sidewall may befoldably attached to each other. The rear wall and the second sidewallmay be foldably attached to each other.

The first sidewall may be foldable. The first sidewall may include afirst-side fold extending between the base and the support. Thefirst-side fold may extend between the base and the lower support. Thefirst-side fold may extend between the first-side bottom edge and thefirst-side lower edge. The first-side fold may be disposed partwaybetween the first-side front edge and the first-side rear edge. Thefirst-side fold may be disposed substantially midway between thefirst-side front edge and the first-side rear edge. The first sidewallmay be inwardly folded when the stand is in its operating configuration.The first sidewall may be inwardly folded when the stand is in itscollapsed configuration. The first sidewall and the lower support mayslidably contact each other when the stand is in its operatingconfiguration. The first sidewall and the riser wall may slidablycontact each other when the stand is in its operating configuration. Thefirst sidewall and the upper support may slidably contact each otherwhen the stand is in its operating configuration. The second sidewallmay be foldable. The second sidewall may include a second-side foldextending between the base and the support. The second-side fold mayextend between the base and the lower support. The second-side fold mayextend between the second-side bottom edge and the second-side loweredge. The second-side fold may be disposed partway between thesecond-side front edge and the second-side rear edge. The second-sidefold may be disposed substantially midway between the second-side frontedge and the second-side rear edge. The second sidewall may be inwardlyfolded when the stand is in its operating configuration. The secondsidewall may be inwardly folded when the stand is in its collapsedconfiguration. The second sidewall and the lower support may slidablycontact each other when the stand is in its operating configuration. Thesecond sidewall and the riser wall may slidably contact each other whenthe stand is in its operating configuration. The second sidewall and theupper support may slidably contact each other when the stand is in itsoperating configuration. The base may be defined by the front bottomedge, first-side bottom edge, rear bottom edge and the second-sidebottom edge.

The front wall may be foldable. The front wall may include a front foldextending between the base and the support. The front fold may extendbetween the base and the lower support. The front fold may extendbetween the front bottom edge and the front edge. The front fold may bedisposed partway between the first-side front edge and the second-sidefront edge. The front fold may be disposed substantially midway betweenthe first-side front edge and the second-side front edge. The front wallmay be inwardly folded when the stand is in its operating configuration.The front wall may be inwardly folded when the stand is in its collapsedconfiguration. The front wall and the lower support may slidably contacteach other when the stand is in its operating configuration. The rearwall may be foldable. The rear wall may include a rear fold extendingbetween the base and the support. The rear fold may extend between thebase and the upper support. The rear fold may extend between the rearbottom edge and the rear top edge. The rear fold may be disposed partwaybetween the first-side rear edge and the second-side rear edge. The rearfold may be disposed substantially midway between the first-side rearedge and the second-side rear edge. The rear wall may be inwardly foldedwhen the stand is in its operating configuration. The rear wall may beinwardly folded when the stand is in its collapsed configuration. Therear wall and the upper support may slidably contact each other when thestand is in its operating configuration. The lower support may befoldable. The lower support may include a lower fold extending betweenthe front edge and the riser edge. The lower fold may be disposedpartway between the first-side lower edge and the second-side loweredge. The lower fold may be disposed substantially midway between thefirst-side lower edge and the second-side lower edge. The lower supportmay be unfolded when the stand is in its operating configuration. Thelower support may be outwardly folded when the stand is in its collapsedconfiguration. The upper support may be foldable. The upper support mayinclude a top fold extending between the top edge and the rear top edge.The top fold may be disposed partway between the first-side top edge andthe second-side top edge. The top fold may be disposed substantiallymidway between the first-side top edge and the second-side top edge. Theupper support may be unfolded when the stand is in its operatingconfiguration. The upper support may be outwardly folded when the standis in its collapsed configuration.

The lower support may include a lower reinforced fold extending betweenthe front edge and the riser edge. The lower reinforced fold may bedisposed partway between the first-side lower edge and the second-sidelower edge. The lower reinforced fold may be disposed substantiallymidway between the first-side lower edge and the second-side lower edge.The front wall may include a front-wall cutout. The front-wall may bedimensioned to receive the lower reinforced fold at the front-wallcutout. The upper support may include a top reinforced fold extendingbetween the top edge and the rear top edge. The upper reinforced foldmay be disposed partway between the first-side top edge and thesecond-side top edge. The upper reinforced fold may be disposedsubstantially midway between the first-side top edge and the second-sidetop edge. The rear wall may include a rear-wall cutout. The rear wallmay be dimensioned to receive the top reinforced fold at the rear-wallcutout.

The stand may include a pass-through. The front wall may include apass-through. The riser wall may include a pass-through. The firstsidewall may include a pass-through. The second sidewall may include apass-through. The rear wall may include a pass-through. The lowersupport may include a pass-through. The upper support may include apass-through. The pass-through may be a cable pass-through. Thepass-through may have the form of a cut-out. The pass-through may havethe form of an aperture. The pass-through may be dimensioned forreceiving a grommet.

The base may include a front base flap. The base may include afirst-side base flap. The base may include a rear base flap. The basemay include a second-side base flap. The base may be formed as anoverlapping arrangement of the front base flap, first-side base flap,rear base flap and the second-side base flap. The stand may include afirst-side lower flap. The stand may include a second-side lower flap.The first-side lower flap and the second-side lower flap may be coplanarto each other when the stand is in its operating configuration. Thefirst-side lower flap and the second-side lower flap may be parallel tothe lower support when the stand is in its operating configuration. Thestand may include a first-side top flap. The stand may include asecond-side top flap. The first-side top flap and the second-side topflap may be coplanar to each other when the stand is in its operatingconfiguration. The first-side top flap and the second-side top flap maybe parallel to the upper support when the stand is in its operatingconfiguration. The rear wall and the first sidewall may be unattached toeach other. The rear wall and the first sidewall may be in unattachedcontact with each other when the stand is in its operatingconfiguration. The rear wall and the second sidewall may be unattachedto each other. The rear wall and the second sidewall may be inunattached contact with each other when the stand is in its operatingconfiguration. The front wall and the first sidewall may be unattachedto each other. The front wall and the first sidewall may be inunattached contact with each other when the stand is in its operatingconfiguration. The front wall and the second sidewall may be unattachedto each other. The front wall and the second sidewall may be inunattached contact with each other when the stand is in its operatingconfiguration.

The stand may include one or more fasteners. The one or more fastenersmay include a hook-and-loop fastener. The one or more fasteners mayinclude a collapsed-configuration fastener. The one or more fastenersmay include an operating-configuration fastener. Thecollapsed-configuration fastener may be dimensioned for removablyattaching the front wall and the rear wall to each other. Thecollapsed-configuration fastener may be dimensioned for removablyattaching the first sidewall and the second sidewall to each other.

The stand may include an attachment wall. The attachment wall mayinclude one or more fastener components. The rear wall may include oneor more fastener components. The stand may include a first-sideattachment wall. The first-side attachment wall may be foldably attachedto the first sidewall. The first-side attachment wall may include one ormore fastener components. The first-side attachment wall may bedimensioned for being removably attachable to the rear wall. The standmay include a second-side attachment wall. The second-side attachmentwall may be foldably attached to the second sidewall. The second-sideattachment wall may include one or more fastener components. Thesecond-side attachment wall may be dimensioned for being removablyattachable to the rear wall.

The front wall may include one or more fastener components. Thefirst-side attachment wall may be dimensioned for being removablyattachable to the front wall. The second-side attachment wall may bedimensioned for being removably attachable to the front wall.

The stand may include a front attachment wall. The front attachment wallmay be foldably attached to the front wall. The front attachment walland the first sidewall may be removably attachable to each other. Thefront attachment wall and the second sidewall may be removablyattachable to each other. The front attachment wall may include one ormore fastener components. The first sidewall may include one or morefastener components. The second sidewall may include one or morefastener components. The front attachment wall may include one or morefastener slots. The first sidewall may include one or more mating slots.The second sidewall may include one or more mating slots. The frontattachment wall and the first sidewall may be dimensioned for beingremovably attached to each other. The front attachment wall and thesecond sidewall may be dimensioned for being removably attached to eachother. The front attachment wall may be removably attached to the firstsidewall and the second sidewall when the stand is in its operatingconfiguration. The base may be defined by only the first-side bottomedge, rear bottom edge and the second-side bottom edge.

The stand may include corrugating medium. The corrugating medium mayextend between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. The firstsidewall and the second sidewall may be separated from each other by auser-settable distance. The user-settable distance may be a minimaldistance when the stand is in its collapsed configuration. The frontwall may be defined by multiple, adjacent edges of the corrugatingmedium extending in a front plane between the front bottom edge and thefront edge and between the first-side front edge and the second-sidefront edge. The lower support may be defined by multiple, adjacent edgesof the corrugating medium extending in a lower support plane between thefront edge and the riser edge and between the first-side lower edge andthe second-side lower edge. The riser wall may be defined by multiple,adjacent edges of the corrugating medium extending in a riser planebetween the riser edge and the top edge and between the first-side riseredge and the second-side riser edge. The upper support may be defined bymultiple, adjacent edges of the corrugating medium extending in an uppersupport plane between the top edge and the rear top edge and between thefirst-side top edge and the second-side top edge. The rear wall may bedefined by multiple, adjacent edges of the corrugating medium extendingin a rear plane between the rear bottom edge and the rear top edge andbetween the first-side rear edge and the second-side rear edge. The basemay be defined by multiple, adjacent edges of the corrugating mediumextending in a base plane between the front bottom edge and the rearbottom edge and between the first-side bottom edge and the second-sidebottom edge.

The stand may include an interior attachment wall. The interiorattachment wall may define an attachment wall bottom edge. The base maybe defined by the front bottom edge, attachment wall bottom edge and therear bottom edge. The interior attachment wall may be foldably attachedto the rear wall. The interior attachment wall may be foldably attachedto the rear wall at the interior face of the rear wall. The interiorattachment wall may be foldably attached to the rear wall substantiallymidway between the first-side rear edge and the second-side rear edge.The interior attachment wall may include one or more fastenercomponents. The interior attachment wall may be dimensioned for beingremovably attachable to the front wall. The interior attachment wall maybe dimensioned for being removably attachable to the front wallsubstantially midway between the first-side front edge and thesecond-side front edge.

The stand may be stackable. The stand may be stackable when arranged inthe operating configuration. The stand may be stackable when arranged inthe collapsed configuration. The front wall and the lower support may berigidly attached to each other. The lower support and the riser wall maybe rigidly attached to each other. The riser wall and the upper supportmay be rigidly attached to each other. The upper support and the rearwall may be rigidly attached to each other. The first sidewall may berigidly attached to each of the front wall, lower support, riser wall,upper support and rear wall. The second sidewall may be rigidly attachedto each of the front wall, lower support, riser wall, upper support andrear wall. The base may be defined by the first-side bottom edge, frontbottom edge and the second-side bottom edge.

The stand may be made of one or more sheet-like materials. The stand maybe made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting ofcardboard, paper, wood, plastic, metal and textile fabric. The stand mayinclude a laminated material. The stand may be made of at leastcorrugated cardboard. The stand may be made entirely of corrugatedcardboard. The stand may be made of at least paper. The stand may bemade entirely of paper and corrugated cardboard. The stand may be madeentirely of plastic. The stand may be made entirely of metal. The standmay be made entirely of pressed aluminium. The stand may be madeentirely of molded felt. The stand may be made entirely of moldedplywood.

The stand may be unitary.

Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention in conjunction with theaccompanying figures and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate by way of example only embodiments of theinvention:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a supporting stand according to a firstembodiment of the invention, showing the stand in its operatingconfiguration and showing a first-side fold;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the stand shown in FIG. 1, showing thestand partway between its operating and collapsed configurations;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the stand of FIG. 1, showing the standin its collapsed configuration;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the stand of FIG. 1, showing the stand in itsoperating configuration;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the stand of FIG. 1, showing the stand partwaybetween its operating and collapsed configurations;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the stand of FIG. 1, showing the stand in itscollapsed configuration;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the stand of FIG. 1, showing the stand in itsoperating configuration;

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the stand of FIG. 1, showing the standpartway between its operating and collapsed configurations;

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the stand of FIG. 1, showing the stand in itscollapsed configuration;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the stand according to a secondembodiment of the invention, showing the second-embodiment stand in itsoperating configuration and showing a front fold, rear fold, lower foldand a top fold;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the stand shown in FIG. 10, showing thestand partway between its operating and collapsed configurations;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the stand of FIG. 10, showing the standin its collapsed configuration;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the stand of FIG. 10, showing the stand inits operating configuration;

FIG. 14 is a front view of the stand of FIG. 10, showing the standpartway between its operating and collapsed configurations;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the stand of FIG. 10, showing the stand inits collapsed configuration;

FIG. 16 is a bottom view of the stand of FIG. 10, showing the stand inits operating configuration;

FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the stand of FIG. 10, showing the standpartway between its operating and collapsed configurations;

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the stand of FIG. 10, showing the stand inits collapsed configuration;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the stand according to a thirdembodiment of the invention, showing the third-embodiment stand in itsoperating configuration and showing a lower reinforced fold and a topreinforced fold;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the stand shown in FIG. 19, showing thestand partway between its operating and collapsed configurations;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the stand of FIG. 19, showing the standin its collapsed configuration;

FIG. 22 is a front view of the stand of FIG. 19, showing the stand inits operating configuration;

FIG. 23 is a front view of the stand of FIG. 19, showing the standpartway between its operating and collapsed configurations;

FIG. 24 is a front view of the stand of FIG. 19, showing the stand inits collapsed configuration;

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of the stand of FIG. 19, showing the stand inits operating configuration;

FIG. 26 is a bottom view of the stand of FIG. 19, showing the standpartway between its operating and collapsed configurations;

FIG. 27 is a bottom view of the stand of FIG. 19, showing the stand inits collapsed configuration;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the stand according to a fourthembodiment of the invention, showing the fourth-embodiment stand in itsoperating configuration and showing a first-side rear edge;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the stand shown in FIG. 28, showing thestand partway between its operating and collapsed configurations, andshowing a first-side lower flap, a first-side top flap and a second-sidetop flap;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the stand shown in FIG. 28, showing thestand partway between its operating and collapsed configurations, andshowing a front base flap and a first-side base flap;

FIG. 31 is a plan view of the stand of FIG. 28, showing the stand in itscollapsed configuration and showing a second-side lower flap, rear baseflap and a second-side base flap;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the stand according to a fifthembodiment of the invention, showing the fifth-embodiment stand in itsoperating configuration and showing a front wall;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the stand of FIG. 32, showing the standin its operating configuration and showing a rear wall;

FIG. 34 is a plan view of the stand of FIG. 32, showing the stand in itscollapsed configuration and showing first and second sidewalls foldablyattached to the front wall;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the stand according to a sixthembodiment of the invention, showing the sixth-embodiment stand in itsoperating configuration and showing the front wall;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of the stand of FIG. 35, showing the standin its operating configuration and showing the rear wall;

FIG. 37 is a plan view of the stand of FIG. 35, showing the stand in itscollapsed configuration and showing first and second sidewalls foldablyattached to the rear wall;

FIG. 38 is a perspective view of the stand according to a seventhembodiment of the invention, showing the seventh-embodiment stand in itsoperating configuration and showing a portion of a front attachment wallfrom a first viewpoint;

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the stand of FIG. 38, showing the standin its operating configuration and showing the portion of the frontattachment wall from a second viewpoint and showing the rear wall;

FIG. 40 is a plan view of the stand of FIG. 38, showing the stand in itscollapsed configuration and showing fastener slots and mating slots;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the stand according to an eighthembodiment of the invention, showing the eighth-embodiment stand in itsoperating configuration and showing corrugating medium disposed betweenfirst and second sidewalls;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of the stand of FIG. 41, showing the standin its collapsed configuration;

FIG. 43 is a top view of the stand of FIG. 41, showing the stand in itsoperating configuration;

FIG. 44 is a top view of the stand of FIG. 41, showing the stand partwaybetween its operating and collapsed configurations;

FIG. 45 is a top view of the stand of FIG. 41, showing the stand in itscollapsed configuration;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of the stand according to a ninthembodiment of the invention, showing the ninth-embodiment stand in itsoperating configuration and showing an interior wall;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the stand shown in FIG. 46, showing thestand partway between its operating and collapsed configurations;

FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the stand of FIG. 46, showing the standin its collapsed configuration;

FIG. 49 is a side view of the stand of FIG. 46, showing the stand in itsoperating configuration;

FIG. 50 is a side view of the stand of FIG. 46, showing the standpartway between its operating and collapsed configurations;

FIG. 51 is a side view of the stand of FIG. 46, showing the stand in itscollapsed configuration;

FIG. 52 is a bottom view of the stand of FIG. 46, showing the stand inits operating configuration;

FIG. 53 is a bottom view of the stand of FIG. 46, showing the standpartway between its operating and collapsed configurations;

FIG. 54 is a bottom view of the stand of FIG. 46, showing the stand inits collapsed configuration;

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the stand according to a tenthembodiment of the invention, showing the tenth-embodiment stand from afirst viewpoint;

FIG. 56 is a perspective view of the stand shown in FIG. 55, showing thestand from a second viewpoint; and

FIG. 57 is a side view of the stand of FIG. 55.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A supporting stand for supporting an item includes: base means fordefining a substantially planar region of the stand; and support meansfor supporting the item distal from said base means. The support meansmay include lower support means for supporting the item at a firstdistance from said base means. The support means may include uppersupport means for supporting the item at a second distance from saidbase means, said second distance being greater than said first distance.The lower support means and the upper support means may be made ofsheet-like material.

In the figures showing various embodiments of the invention, likefeatures are referenced by like reference characters. Features describedin respect of one embodiment of the invention may also apply to one ormore other embodiments, even if not specifically described herein inrelation to such other embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, the supporting stand according to a firstembodiment of the invention is shown generally at 10. The supportingstand 10 is operable to support one or more items (not shown) whenarranged in its operating configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 7for example, and can be folded into a collapsed configuration, as shownin FIGS. 3, 6 and 9 for example, for convenient storage and handling.

The stand 10 of the first embodiment includes a front wall 12 having afront bottom edge 14; and a lower support 16 that is foldably attachedto the front wall 12 along a front edge 18. In the operatingconfiguration of FIGS. 1, 4 and 7, the front wall 12 and the lowersupport 16 each extend from the front edge 18 at substantially rightangles to each other.

The stand 10 includes a riser wall 20 that is foldably attached to thelower support 16 along a riser edge 22. In the operating configurationof FIGS. 1, 4 and 7, the riser wall 20 and the lower support 16 eachextend from the riser edge 22 at substantially right angles to eachother; the riser wall 20 and the front wall 12 lie in substantiallyparallel, spaced-apart respective planes; and the riser wall 20 and thefront wall 12 each extend in opposing directions from opposite ends ofthe lower support 16.

The stand 10 includes an upper support 24 that is foldably attached tothe riser wall 20 along a top edge 26. In the operating configuration ofFIGS. 1, 4 and 7, the upper support 24 and the riser wall 20 each extendfrom the top edge 26 at substantially right angles to each other; theupper support 24 and the lower support 16 lie in substantially parallel,spaced-apart respective planes; and the upper support 24 and the lowersupport 16 each extend in opposing directions from opposite ends of theriser wall 20.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, the stand 10 includes a rear wall 28extending between a rear top edge 30 and a rear bottom edge 32 disposedat opposite ends of the rear wall 28. The rear wall 28 is foldablyattached to the upper support 24 along the rear top edge 30. In theoperating configuration of FIGS. 1, 4 and 7, the rear wall 28 and theupper support 24 each extend from the rear top edge 30 at substantiallyright angles to each other; and the rear wall 28 is substantiallyparallel and spaced-apart from each of the riser wall 20 and the frontwall 12. Also in the operating configuration, the distance between therear wall 28 and the riser wall 20 is less than the distance between therear wall 28 and the front wall 12 such that the riser wall 20 isdisposed within a plane intermediate between the rear wall 28 and thefront wall 12. In some embodiments, the riser wall 20 is disposed in aplane substantially midway between the rear wall 28 and the front wall12.

The stand 10 in the first embodiment includes a first sidewall 34 havinga first-side bottom edge 36 (best seen in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8), afirst-side front edge 38, a first-side lower edge 40, a first-side riseredge 42, a first-side top edge 44, a first-side rear edge 46, and afirst-side fold 48. In the first embodiment, the first-side fold 48 isoriented substantially parallel to each of the first-side front edge 38and the first-side rear edge 46, and is located substantially midwaybetween the edges 38 and 46.

In the first embodiment in its operating configuration, the firstsidewall 34 extends from the first-side front edge 38 at or near a rightangle to the front wall 12; extends from the first-side lower edge 40 ata substantially right angle from the lower support 16; extends from thefirst-side riser edge 42 at or near a right angle to the riser wall 20;extends from the first-side top edge 44 at a substantially right anglefrom the upper support 24; and extends from the first-side rear edge 46at or near a right angle to the rear wall 28.

In the first embodiment, the first sidewall 34 is foldably attached tothe front wall 12 along the first-side front edge 38; and is foldablyattached to the rear wall 28 along the first-side rear edge 46.

In the first embodiment in its operating configuration, the firstsidewall 34 is dimensioned to slidably contact the lower support 16along the first-side lower edge 40; slidably contact the riser wall 20along the first-side riser edge 42; and slidably contact the uppersupport 24 along the first-side top edge 44.

The stand 10 in the first embodiment includes a second sidewall 50disposed parallel, spaced-apart and opposite to the first sidewall 34 asbest seen in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8. The second sidewall 50 has a second-sidebottom edge 52, a second-side front edge 54, a second-side lower edge56, a second-side riser edge 58, a second-side top edge 60, asecond-side rear edge 62, and a second-side fold 64. In the firstembodiment, the second-side fold 64 is oriented substantially parallelto each of the second-side front edge 54 and the second-side rear edge62, and is located substantially midway between the edges 54 and 62.

In the first embodiment in its operating configuration, the secondsidewall 50 extends from the second-side front edge 54 at or near aright angle to the front wall 12; extends from the second-side loweredge 56 at a substantially right angle from the lower support 16;extends from the second-side riser edge 58 at or near a right angle tothe riser wall 20; extends from the second-side top edge 60 at asubstantially right angle from the upper support 24; and extends fromthe second-side rear edge 62 at or near a right angle to the rear wall28.

In the first embodiment, the second sidewall 50 is foldably attached tothe front wall 12 along the second-side front edge 54; and is foldablyattached to the rear wall 28 along the second-side rear edge 62.

In the first embodiment in its operating configuration, the secondsidewall 50 is dimensioned to slidably contact the lower support 16along the second-side lower edge 56; slidably contact the riser wall 20along the second-side riser edge 58; and slidably contact the uppersupport 24 along the second-side top edge 60.

The stand 10 of the first embodiment optionally includes one or morepass-throughs 65 for advantageously permitting one or more objects, suchas computer cables and the like, to pass through a wall or other portionof the stand 10. As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5 and 7 one pass-through65 in the form of a cut-out is disposed midway along the first-sidebottom edge 36 at the intersection of the first-side bottom edge 36 andthe first-side fold 48; and one pass-through 65 is disposed at thecorresponding intersection of the second-side bottom edge 52 and thesecond-side fold 64. While FIGS. 1 to 9 show the pass-through 65 in theform of a cut-out along an edge of the stand 10, in general thepass-through 65 may be implemented in any suitable form, including as anaperture of any shape and size, and may be disposed at any portion ofthe stand 10, including being disposed at a non-edge portion of thestand 10 for example. Additionally or alternatively, the stand 10 mayinclude any number of pass-throughs 65 having the same or different formas each other.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 9, the stand 10 includes a base 66 whichin the first embodiment is the region of the stand 10 defined by thebottom front edge 14, first-side bottom edge 36, rear bottom edge 32 andthe second-side bottom edge 52. In its operating configuration, the base66 of the stand 10 is substantially planar.

In the operating configuration of the first embodiment, the distancebetween the front bottom edge 14 and the front edge 18 plus the distancebetween the riser edge 22 and the top edge 26 is substantially equal tothe distance between the rear bottom edge 32 and the rear top edge 30 ofthe rear wall 28 such that the base 66 is substantially parallel andspaced-apart from each of the lower support 16 and the upper support 24.In the operating configuration of the first embodiment, the lowersupport 16 is disposed closer to the base 66 than the upper support 24,as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4.

In the operating configuration of the first embodiment, the riser wall20 is substantially vertical (i.e. extending perpendicularly to the base66), and the lower support 16 and the upper support 24 extend inopposing, substantially horizontal (i.e. parallel to the base 66)directions from the riser wall 20, such that the lower support 16 andthe upper support 24 are vertically non-overlapping (i.e.non-overlapping when viewed along the vertical axis), as can be seen inFIG. 4 for example. While FIGS. 1 to 9 show the riser wall 20 as beingvertical in the operating configuration of the stand 10, the riser wall20 in the operating configuration of some embodiments is not verticaland may be sloped, inwardly or outwardly for example, or otherwisenon-linear without adversely affecting operability of the stand 10 inits operating and collapsed configurations. While FIGS. 1 to 9 show thelower support 16 and the upper support 24 as being verticallynon-overlapping in the operating configuration of the stand 10, thelower and upper supports 16 and 24 in the operating configuration ofsome embodiments overlap.

In the collapsed configuration (FIGS. 3, 6 and 9) of the firstembodiment, the first and second sidewalls 34 and 50 in their respectivefolded states are disposed substantially coplanar to each other and aredisposed adjacent, substantially parallel to and sandwiched between therear wall 28 and each of the front wall 12 and the lower support 16.Also in the collapsed configuration, the front wall 12 and the lowersupport 16 are adjacent and substantially coplanar.

In the collapsed configuration of the first embodiment, the riser wall20 and the upper support 24 remain foldably attached and aresubstantially parallel to each other.

The stand 10 in the first embodiment includes a collapsed-configurationfastener 67 (FIGS. 7 to 9), which advantageously facilitates maintainingthe collapsed configuration of the stand 10. The collapsed-configurationfastener 67 typically includes a pair of removably attachable fastener67 components and may be a hook-and-loop fastener 67, for example. WhileFIGS. 7 to 9 show the collapsed-configuration fastener 67 componentsdisposed on the interior faces of the front and rear walls 12 and 28 andcentrally disposed adjacent the front and rear bottom edges 14 and 32,respectively, in general the collapsed-configuration fastener 67 may bedisposed at any suitable position.

Method of Operation of the First Embodiment

Still referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, when the stand 10 in accordance withthe first embodiment is configured in its collapsed configuration (FIGS.3, 6 and 9), a user (not shown) may grasp the rear wall 28 and separateit from the front wall 12 and the riser wall 20 so as to ensure thecollapsed-configuration fastener 67 is unmated. The user may find itconvenient to grasp the rear wall 28 at or near the rear bottom edge 32and the front wall 12 at or near the front bottom edge 14, for example.Separating the rear wall 28 from the front wall 12 and the riser wall 20urges the stand 10 to unfold outwardly (i.e. in a direction generallyaway from the center of the stand 10) along the first-side fold 48 andthe second-side fold 64, fold along the rear top edge 30, unfolddownwardly (i.e. in a direction toward the base 66) along the top edge26, fold inwardly (i.e. in a direction generally toward the center ofthe stand 10) along the riser edge 22, and to fold along the front edge18. Doing so swings the lower and upper supports 16 and 24 in opposingdownward and inward directions. FIGS. 2, 5 and 8 show the stand 10partway between its collapsed and operating configurations when thefirst and second sidewalls 34 and 50 are partly folded along theirrespective folds 48 and 64, and the folding edges 18, 22, 26 and 30 arepartly folded.

As the rear wall 28 is further separated from the front wall 12 and theriser wall 20, the first and second sidewalls 34 and 50 furtherstraighten out until the stand 10 reaches its operating configuration(FIGS. 1, 4, and 7). In the operating configuration, the stand 10 in theoperating configuration has a stair-like shape in which the lower andupper supports 16 and 24 are substantially parallel to the base 66, andthe lower support 16 is closer to the base 66 than the upper support 24.

Preferably, the stand 10 in the first embodiment is operable to remainupright upon its base 66 once in its operating condition, even whileaccommodating a specifiable weight placed on its lower support 16, uppersupport 24, or both its lower and upper supports 16 and 24. Invariations, different weight ratings may apply to the stand 10. In someembodiments, a given weight rating can only be met if the base 66 isplaced upon a suitable operating surface, such as a flat surface as canbe found on most tabletops (not shown).

In the operating configuration of the first embodiment as best seen inFIGS. 1 and 7, the first and second sidewalls 34 and 50 are slightlyangled, or bent, inwardly at their respective folds 48 and 64. Theslight inward folding of the first and second sidewalls 34 and 50 in thefirst embodiment can be achieved by dimensioning the stand 10 such thatthe sum of the distance from the front edge 18 to the riser edge 22 plusthe distance from the top edge 26 to the rear top edge 30 is slightlyless than the length of each of the first-side bottom edge 36 and thesecond-side bottom edge 52. While the first and second sidewalls 34 and50 are slightly inwardly folded in the operating configuration, anyangle of folding which places each of the lower support 16 and the uppersupport 24 substantially parallel to the base 66 may be suitablyemployed. In some embodiments in the operating configuration, the angleof the folds 48 and 64 may be 180 degrees (not shown), less than 180degrees such that the first and second sidewalls 34 and 50 are inwardlyfolded as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, or more than 180 degrees such that thefirst and second sidewalls 34 and 50 are outwardly folded (not shown).In the first embodiment, the stand 10 is dimensioned such that the firstand second sidewalls 34 and 50 are slightly inwardly folded in theoperating configuration so as to advantageously provide additionalsupport beneath the lower and upper supports 16 and 24.

Additionally or alternatively to grasping and separating the rear wall28 from the front and riser walls 12 and 20, a user may grasp the firstsidewall 34 and the second sidewall 50, and separate these first andsecond sidewalls 34 and 50 from each other, thereby urging the rear wall28 to separate from the front wall 12 and the riser wall 20. The usermay conveniently grasp the first and second sidewalls 34 and 50 at ornear the first-side bottom edge 36 and the second-side bottom edge 52,respectively, including grasping the first and second sidewalls 34 and50 at or near their respective folds 48 and 64.

Additionally or alternatively, the stand 10 may be expanded from itscollapsed configuration into its operating configuration by pressingdownwardly on the top edge 26 so as to cause the front and rear walls 12and 28 to separate from each other until the lower and upper supports 16and 24 are substantially parallel with the base 66.

Collapsing the stand 10 from its operating configuration into itscollapsed configuration involves a reverse process of folding the firstand second sidewalls 34 and 50 inwardly along their respective folds 48and 64 and/or moving the rear wall 28 towards the riser wall 20 and thefront wall 12. The collapsing action continues until thecollapsed-configuration fastener 67 is mated and the stand 10 issubstantially planar as shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 9, thereby achieving thecollapsed configuration.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 10 to 18 show the stand 10 in accordance with a second embodimentof the invention, in which the front wall 12 includes a front fold 68oriented substantially parallel to each of the first-side front edge 38and the second-side front edge 54 and located substantially midwaybetween the edges 38 and 54; and the rear wall 28 includes a rear fold70 oriented substantially parallel to each of the first-side rear edge46 and the second-side rear edge 62 and located substantially midwaybetween the edges 46 and 62. Also in accordance with the secondembodiment, the lower support 16 includes a lower fold 72 orientedsubstantially parallel to each of the first-side lower edge 40 and thesecond-side lower edge 56 and located substantially midway between theedges 40 and 56; and the upper support 24 includes a top fold 74oriented substantially parallel to each of the first-side top edge 44and the second-side top edge 60 and located substantially midway betweenthe edges 44 and 60.

In the second embodiment, the front wall 12 is not attached to the lowersupport 16 along the front edge 18, but can slidably contact the lowersupport 16 along the front edge 18 such as when the stand 10 is in itsoperating configuration. Also in the second embodiment, the rear wall 28is not attached to the upper support 24 along the rear top edge 30, butcan slidably contact the upper support 24 along the rear top edge 30such as when the stand 10 is in its operating configuration.

In the second embodiment, the stand 10 does not include any material orwall corresponding to the riser wall 20 of the first embodiment (FIGS. 1to 9). While FIGS. 10 to 18 show the first-side riser edge 42 and thesecond-side riser edge 58 as being vertical in the operatingconfiguration of the stand 10, the first-side and second-side riseredges 42 and 58 in the operating configuration of some embodiments arenot vertical and may be sloped in any direction or otherwise non-linearwithout adversely affecting operability of the stand 10 in its operatingand collapsed configurations.

The stand 10 of the second embodiment optionally includes one or morepass-throughs 65. As best seen in FIGS. 10, 13, 14 and 16, onepass-through 65 in the form of a cut-out is disposed midway along thefront bottom edge 14 at the intersection of the front bottom edge 14 andthe front fold 68; and one pass-through 65 is disposed at thecorresponding intersection of the rear bottom edge 32 and the rear fold70 (not shown). In general, any number of pass-throughs 65 in accordancewith the second embodiment may be implemented in any suitable form,including as an aperture of any shape and size, and may be disposed atany portion of the stand 10, including being disposed at a non-edgeportion of the stand 10 for example.

The base 66 of the second embodiment is defined by the front bottom edge14, first-side bottom edge 36, rear bottom edge 32 and the second-sidebottom edge 52 such that the base 66 is substantially planar when thestand 10 is in its operating configuration. When the stand 10 accordingto the second embodiment is in its operating configuration, the lowersupport 16 and the upper support 24 are substantially planar andsubstantially parallel to the base 66 at differing distances from thebase 66, as can be seen in FIG. 10.

In the collapsed configuration (FIGS. 12, 15 and 18) of the secondembodiment, the front wall 12 and the rear wall 28 in their respectivefolded states are disposed substantially coplanar to each other and aredisposed adjacent, substantially parallel to and sandwiched between thefirst and second sidewalls 34 and 50. Also in the collapsedconfiguration of the second embodiment, the first sidewall 34 isadjacent and substantially coplanar with that portion of the lowersupport 16 between the first-side lower edge 40 and the lower fold 72and that portion of the upper support 24 between the first-side top edge44 and the top fold 74; and the second sidewall 50 is adjacent andsubstantially coplanar with that portion of the lower support 16 betweenthe second-side lower edge 56 and the lower fold 72 and that portion ofthe upper support 24 between the second-side top edge 60 and the topfold 74. In the collapsed configuration, the portions of the lowersupport 16 on opposite sides of the lower fold 72 are substantiallyparallel to each other; and the portions of the upper support 24 onopposite sides of the top fold 74 are substantially parallel to eachother.

The stand 10 in the second embodiment includes a collapsed-configurationfastener 67 (FIGS. 16 to 18), which includes a pair of removablyattachable fastener 67 components and may be a hook-and-loop fastener67, for example. While FIGS. 16 to 18 show the collapsed-configurationfastener 67 components disposed on the interior faces of the first-sideand second-side walls 34 and 50 and centrally disposed adjacent thefirst-side and second-side bottom edges 36 and 52, respectively, ingeneral the collapsed-configuration fastener 67 may be disposed at anysuitable position.

Method of Operation of the Second Embodiment

Still referring to FIGS. 10 to 18, when the stand 10 in accordance withthe second embodiment is configured in its collapsed configuration(FIGS. 12, 15 and 18), a user (not shown) may grasp and separate thefirst and second sidewalls 34 and 50 from each other so as to ensure thecollapsed-configuration fastener 67 is unmated. The user may find itconvenient to grasp the first and second sidewalls 34 and 50 at or nearthe first-side bottom edge 36 and the second-side bottom edge 52,respectively, for example. Separating the first and second sidewalls 34and 50 urges the stand 10 to unfold outwardly along the front fold 68and the rear fold 70, and to unfold inwardly and downwardly along thelower fold 72 and the top fold 74, as best seen in FIGS. 11, 14 and 17.The first and second sidewalls 34 and 50 are separated until the lowersupport 16 and the upper support 24 are fully unfolded so as to besubstantially planar as shown in FIGS. 10, 13 and 16, thereby achievingthe operating configuration of the stand 10 in accordance with thesecond embodiment.

In the operating configuration of the second embodiment (FIGS. 10, 13and 16), the front wall 12 and the rear wall 28 are slightly angledinwardly at their respective folds 68 and 70. Angles other than thatshown in the Figures are possible, provided the lower and upper supports16 and 24 are substantially planar and parallel to the base 66 when thestand 10 is in its operating configuration.

In accordance with the second embodiment, additionally or alternativelyto grasping and separating the first and second sidewalls 34 and 50 fromeach other, a user may grasp and separate the front and rear walls 12and 28 from each other so as to urge the separation of the first andsecond sidewalls 34 and 50 from each other. The user may convenientlygrasp the front and rear walls 12 and 28 at or near the front bottomedge 14 and the rear bottom edge 32, respectively, including graspingthe front and rear walls 12 and 28 at or near their respective folds 68and 70.

Additionally or alternatively, the stand 10 may be expanded from itscollapsed configuration into its operating configuration by pressingdownwardly on the top fold 74 and/or the lower fold 72 so as to causethe first and second sidewalls 34 and 50 to separate from each otheruntil the lower and upper supports 16 and 24 are substantially parallelwith the base 66.

Collapsing the stand 10 in accordance with the second embodimentinvolves a reverse process of folding the front and rear walls 12 and 28inwardly along their respective folds 68 and 70 and/or moving the firstand second sidewalls 34 and 50 toward each other, and folding the lowerand upper supports 16 and 24 outwardly and upwardly (i.e. in a directionaway from the base 66) along their respective folds 72 and 74. Forexample, the upper fold 74 and/or the lower fold 72 may be grasped atpulled upward until the collapsed-configuration fastener 67 is mated andthe stand 10 is substantially planar as shown in FIGS. 12, 15 and 18,thereby achieving the collapsed configuration.

Third Embodiment

FIGS. 19 to 27 show the stand 10 in accordance with a third embodimentof the invention, in which the lower support 16 is reinforced at itslower fold 72 by a lower reinforced fold 76 dimensioned to fit within afront-wall cutout 78 of the front wall 12. As best seen in FIG. 23, thefront-wall cutout 78 is disposed at the intersection of the front edge18 and the front fold 68 and is dimensioned for receiving the lowerreinforced fold 76 when the stand 10 is in its operating configuration.Also in the third embodiment, the upper support 24 is reinforced at itstop fold 74 by a top reinforced fold 80 dimensioned to fit within arear-wall cutout 82 of the rear wall 28. Also viewable in FIG. 23, therear-wall cutout 82 is disposed at the intersection of the rear top edge30 and the rear fold 70 and is dimensioned for receiving the topreinforced fold 80 in the operating configuration.

The stand 10 of the third embodiment, including its method of operation,is otherwise similar to that of the second embodiment described hereinabove.

Fourth Embodiment

FIGS. 28 to 31 show the stand 10 in accordance with a fourth embodimentof the invention, which includes a front base flap 84, first-side baseflap 86, rear base flap 88 and a second-side base flap 90 collectivelyforming the base 66 when arranged in any suitable manner so as to besubstantially parallel to each other, including being folded so as tooverlap each other.

The stand 10 of the fourth embodiment also includes a first-side lowerflap 92, a second-side lower flap 94, a first-side top flap 96 and asecond-side top flap 98. In the operating configuration the first-sidelower flap 92 and the second-side lower flap 94 are folded so as to besubstantially coplanar to each other. Also in the operatingconfiguration, the first-side top flap 96 and the second-side top flap98 are folded so as to be substantially coplanar to each other.

In the fourth embodiment, the front wall 12 is foldably attached to thelower support 16, which is foldably attached to the riser wall 20; theupper support 24 is foldably attached to the rear wall 28; and the uppersupport 24 and the riser wall 20 are unattached to each other.

Also in the fourth embodiment, the first-side rear edge 46 is defined byunattached edges 100 of the rear wall 28 and the first sidewall 34. Inthe operating configuration, these unattached edges 100 are disposedadjacent to each other to form the first-side rear edge 46. While FIGS.28 to 31 show the first-side rear edge 46 as being defined by theunattached edges 100, in general any one of the first-side front edge38, first-side rear edge 46, second-side front edge 54 and second-siderear edge 62 may be defined by corresponding unattached edges 100.

The stand 10 of the fourth embodiment optionally includes one or morepass-throughs 65, one of which is shown in FIG. 31 in the form of acut-out into the rear wall 28 disposed at the intersection of thefirst-side rear edge 46 (i.e. at one unattached edge 100) and the rearbottom edge 32. In general, any number of pass-throughs 65 in accordancewith the fourth embodiment may be implemented in any suitable form,including as an aperture of any shape and size, and may be disposed atany portion of the stand 10, including being disposed at any corner,edge or non-edge portion of the stand 10 for example.

When the stand 10 according to the fourth embodiment is in its operatingconfiguration, the lower support 16 and the upper support 24 aresubstantially planar and substantially parallel to the base 66 atdiffering distances from the base 66, as can be seen in FIG. 28.

FIG. 31 shows the stand 10 of the fourth embodiment configured as asingle planar sheet in its collapsed configuration.

In a variation of the fourth embodiment, the unattached edges 100 may beattached to each other (not shown) such that none of the edges 38, 46,54 and 62 are defined by unattached edges 100. For example, theunattached edges 100 shown in FIG. 31 may be attached duringmanufacturing by a taped or glued seam, or other similar attachmentmeans may be employed. In such variation, the stand 10 in its collapsedconfiguration is folded at a pair of opposing non-adjacent edges (i.e.either at the first-side front edge 38 and the second-side rear edge 62,or at the first-side rear edge 46 and the second-side front edge 54)such that the stand 10 can form two or four connected, parallel planarsheets in its collapsed configuration.

Additionally or alternatively, the stand 10 of the fourth embodiment mayexclude any one or more of the front base flap 84, first-side base flap86, rear base flap 88 and second-side base flap 90 such that the base 66is defined by any remaining flaps and/or corresponding bottom edges. Forexample, in a variation in which all of the flaps 84, 86, 88 and 90 areexcluded, the stand 10 in its operating configuration is open at thebase 66 which is defined by the front bottom edge 14, first-side bottomedge 36, rear bottom edge 32 and the second-side bottom edge 52 suchthat the open base 66 is substantially planar when the stand 10 is inits operating configuration.

Method of Operation of the Fourth Embodiment

Still referring to FIGS. 28 to 31, when the stand 10 in accordance withthe fourth embodiment is configured in its collapsed configuration (FIG.31), a user may grasp the stand 10, such as grasping at or near theunattached edges 100, and bring the unattached edges 100 towards eachother so as to form the first-side rear edge 46. Thereafter the user, inany order, inwardly folds the front base flap 84 at the front bottomedge 14, inwardly folds the first-side base flap 86 at the first-sidebottom edge 36, inwardly folds the rear base flap 88 at the rear bottomedge 32, and inwardly folds the second-side base flap 90 at thesecond-side bottom edge 52 so as to form the base 66. Also, the userinwardly folds the first-side lower flap 92 at the first-side lower edge40 and inwardly folds the second-side lower flap 94 at the second-sidelower edge 56; and then lowers the lower support 16 and the riser wall20 until the lower support 16 is adjacent to the first-side andsecond-side lower flaps 92 and 94 and substantially parallel to the base66 and until the riser wall 20 is substantially perpendicular to thebase 66. The user also inwardly folds the first-side top flap 96 at thefirst-side top edge 44 and inwardly folds the second-side top flap 98 atthe second-side top edge 60; and then lowers the upper support 24 untilit is adjacent to the first-side and second-side top flaps 96 and 98 andis substantially parallel to the base 66. The interfitted, overlappingfolding of the front base flap 84, first-side base flap 86, rear baseflap 88 and second-side base flap 90 advantageously enhance thestability of the stand 10 when in its operating configuration.

The steps of the method of configuring the stand 10 in its operatingconfiguration described herein in respect of the fourth embodiment maybe performed in a variety of orders to achieve the same result.

Collapsing the stand 10 in accordance with the fourth embodimentinvolves a reverse process of unfolding the lower and upper supports 16and 24, unfolding the flaps 92 to 98, unfolding the components 84 to 90of the base 66, and separating the unattached edges 100, all until thestand 10 is configured as the single planar sheet of the collapsedconfiguration. In variations, the stand 10 may be folded in half (notshown) at the second-side front edge 54 so that the front wall 12 issubstantially parallel to the second sidewall 50 and the first sidewall34 is substantially parallel to the rear wall 28. In a furthervariation, the stand 10 may be folded in quarters (not shown) by foldingat each of the second-side front edge 54, second-side rear edge 62 andthe first-side front edge 38 so that the first sidewall 34, front wall12, second sidewall 50 and the rear wall 28 are substantially parallelto each other.

Fifth Embodiment

FIGS. 32 to 34 show the stand 10 in accordance with a fifth embodimentof the invention, in which the stand 10 includes operating-configurationfasteners 102. In the fifth embodiment, each operating-configurationfastener 102 typically includes a pair of removably attachable fastener102 components and may be a hook-and-loop fastener 102, for example.Each operating-configuration fastener 102 may be of the same ordifferent type from each other and from the collapsed-configurationfastener 67, for example.

The stand 10 in accordance with the fifth embodiment includes afirst-side attachment wall 104 having two operating-configurationfastener 102 components which are mateable to corresponding fastener 102components disposed on the rear wall 28 at or near its first-side rearedge 46; and includes a second-side attachment wall 106 having twooperating-configuration fastener 102 components which are mateable tocorresponding fastener 102 components disposed on the rear wall 28 at ornear its second-side rear edge 62. In the fifth embodiment, thefirst-side attachment wall 104 is attached to the first sidewall 34along its first-side rear edge 46; and the second-side attachment wall106 is attached to the second sidewall 50 along its second-side rearedge 62.

In the fifth embodiment, the rear wall 28 is foldably attached to theupper support 24, which is foldably attached to the riser wall 20, whichis foldably attached to the lower support 16, which is foldably attachedto the front wall 12, which is foldably attached to the first and secondsidewalls 34 and 50 at opposing side edges 38 and 54 thereof.

Also in the fifth embodiment, the first sidewall 34 is unattached to thelower support 16 at the first-side lower edge 40; unattached to theriser wall 20 at the first-side riser edge 42; and unattached to theupper support 24 at the first-side top edge 44. Similarly, the secondsidewall 50 is unattached to the lower support 16 at the second-sidelower edge 56; unattached to the riser wall 20 at the second-side riseredge 58; and unattached to the upper support 24 at the second-side topedge 60.

In the operating configuration of the fifth embodiment, the first andsecond sidewalls 34 and 50 are not necessarily parallel to each otherand may be slightly inclined inwardly so as to be closer to each othernear the rear wall 28 than the width of the front wall 12, as shown inFIGS. 32 and 33. In variations, any suitable position of theoperating-configuration fastener 102 components along the rear wall 28may be employed. While not shown in the Figures, the stand 10 in someembodiments includes attachment walls 104 and 106 which are foldablyattached to opposing sides of the rear wall 28 and are removablyattachable to the first and second sidewalls 34 and 50, respectively.

The pass-through 65 of the fifth embodiment is shown in FIGS. 33 and 34in the form of a cut-out disposed in the rear wall 28 midway along therear bottom edge 32. Additionally or alternatively, the stand 10 of thefifth embodiment may include a pass-through 65 disposed in the frontwall 12 (not shown). In general, any number of pass-throughs 65 inaccordance with the fifth embodiment may be implemented in any suitableform, including as an aperture of any shape and size, and may bedisposed at any portion of the stand 10, including being disposedoff-center and/or at a non-edge portion of the stand 10 for example.

The base 66 of the fifth embodiment is defined by the front bottom edge14, first-side bottom edge 36, rear bottom edge 32 and the second-sidebottom edge 52 such that the base 66 is substantially planar when thestand 10 is in its operating configuration. When the stand 10 accordingto the fifth embodiment is in its operating configuration, the lowersupport 16 and the upper support 24 are substantially planar andsubstantially parallel to the base 66 at differing distances from thebase 66, as can be seen in FIGS. 32 and 33.

Method of Operation of the Fifth Embodiment

Still referring to FIGS. 32 to 34, when the stand 10 in accordance withthe fifth embodiment is configured in its collapsed configuration (FIG.34), a user may grasp the stand 10, such as grasping at or near thefirst-side attachment wall 104, and/or the second-side attachment wall106 and/or the rear wall 28, and maneuver the stand 10 to mate theoperating-configuration fasteners 102 at the rear wall 28 and each ofthe first-side and second-side attachment walls 104 and 106. In doingso, the lower support 16, riser wall 20 and the upper support 24 arebrought into contact with or otherwise proximate to the first sidewall34 along the first-side lower edge 40, first-side riser edge 42 and thefirst-side top edge 44, respectively, and are brought into contact withor otherwise proximate to the second sidewall 50 along the second-sidelower edge 56, second-side riser edge 58 and the second-side top edge60, respectively.

Collapsing the stand 10 in accordance with the fifth embodiment involvesa reverse process of disengaging the operating-configuration fastener102 components. Thereafter, the user unfolds outwardly the first andsecond sidewalls 34 and 50 at the first-side front edge 38 and thesecond-side front edge 54, respectively; and unfolds outwardly the rearwall 28, upper support 24, riser wall 20 and the lower support 16. Theuser unfolds until the stand 10 is configured as a single planar sheet,thereby achieving the collapsed configuration. In variations, the stand10 in the collapsed configuration may be folded along one or both of thefirst-side front edge 38 and the second-side front edge 54 so thateither or both of the first and second sidewalls 34 and 50 aresubstantially parallel to the front wall 12. Additionally oralternatively, any one or more of the front edge 18, riser edge 22, topedge 26 and the rear top edge 30 may be folded so that one or more ofthe front wall 12, lower support 16, riser wall 20, upper support 24 andrear wall 28 become substantially parallel to one or more of each other.

Sixth Embodiment

FIGS. 35 to 37 show the stand 10 in accordance with a sixth embodimentof the invention, in which the stand 10 includes operating-configurationfastener 102 components along respective sides of the front wall 12.Mating fastener 102 components are disposed on each of the first-sideattachment wall 104 and second-side attachment wall 106. In the sixthembodiment, the first-side attachment wall 104 is attached to the firstsidewall 34 along its first-side front edge 38; and the second-sideattachment wall 106 is attached to the second sidewall 50 along itssecond-side front edge 54.

In the sixth embodiment, the front wall 12 is foldably attached to thelower support 16, which is foldably attached to the riser wall 20, whichis foldably attached to the upper support 24, which is foldably attachedto the rear wall 28, which is foldably attached to the first and secondsidewalls 34 and 50 at opposing side edges 46 and 62 thereof.

Also in the sixth embodiment, the first sidewall 34 is unattached to thelower support 16 at the first-side lower edge 40; unattached to theriser wall 20 at the first-side riser edge 42; and unattached to theupper support 24 at the first-side top edge 44. Similarly, the secondsidewall 50 is unattached to the lower support 16 at the second-sidelower edge 56; unattached to the riser wall 20 at the second-side riseredge 58; and unattached to the upper support 24 at the second-side topedge 60.

In the operating configuration of the sixth embodiment, the first andsecond sidewalls 34 and 50 are not necessarily parallel to each otherand may be slightly inclined inwardly so as to be closer to each othernear the front wall 12 than the width of the rear wall 28, as shown inFIGS. 35 and 36. In variations, any suitable position of theoperating-configuration fasteners 102 components along the front wall 12may be employed. While not shown in the Figures, the stand 10 in someembodiments includes attachment walls 104 and 106 which are foldablyattached to opposing sides of the front wall 12 and are removablyattachable to the first and second sidewalls 34 and 50, respectively.

The pass-through 65 of the sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 36 and 37 maybe made similar or analogous to the pass-through 65 as described inaccordance with the fifth embodiment.

The base 66 of the sixth embodiment is defined by the front bottom edge14, first-side bottom edge 36, rear bottom edge 32 and the second-sidebottom edge 52 such that the base 66 is substantially planar when thestand 10 is in its operating configuration. When the stand 10 accordingto the sixth embodiment is in its operating configuration, the lowersupport 16 and the upper support 24 are substantially planar andsubstantially parallel to the base 66 at differing distances from thebase 66, as can be seen in FIGS. 35 and 36.

Method of Operation of the Sixth Embodiment

Still referring to FIGS. 35 to 37, when the stand 10 in accordance withthe sixth embodiment is configured in its collapsed configuration (FIG.37), a user may grasp the stand 10, such as grasping at or near thefirst-side attachment wall 104, and/or the second-side attachment wall106 and/or the front wall 12, and maneuver the stand 10 to mate theoperating-configuration fasteners 102 at the front wall 12 and each ofthe first-side and second-side attachment walls 104 and 106. In doingso, the lower support 16, riser wall 20 and the upper support 24 arebrought into contact with or otherwise proximate to the first sidewall34 along the first-side lower edge 40, first-side riser edge 42 and thefirst-side top edge 44, respectively, and are brought into contact withor otherwise proximate to the second sidewall 50 along the second-sidelower edge 56, second-side riser edge 58 and the second-side top edge60, respectively.

Collapsing the stand 10 in accordance with the sixth embodiment involvesa reverse process of disengaging the operating-configuration fastener102 components. Thereafter, the user unfolds outwardly the first andsecond sidewalls 34 and 50 at the first-side rear edge 46 and thesecond-side rear edge 62, respectively; and unfolds outwardly the rearwall 28, upper support 24, riser wall 20 and the lower support 16. Theuser unfolds until the stand 10 is configured as a single planar sheet,thereby achieving the collapsed configuration. In variations, the stand10 in the collapsed configuration may be folded along one or both of thefirst-side rear edge 46 and the second-side rear edge 62 so that eitheror both of the first and second sidewalls 34 and 50 are substantiallyparallel to the rear wall 28. Additionally or alternatively, any one ormore of the front edge 18, riser edge 22, top edge 26 and the rear topedge 30 may be folded so that one or more of the front wall 12, lowersupport 16, riser wall 20, upper support 24 and rear wall 28 becomesubstantially parallel to one or more of each other.

Seventh Embodiment

FIGS. 38 to 40 show the stand 10 in accordance with a seventh embodimentof the invention, which includes a front attachment wall 108 havingfastener slots 110. The first and second sidewalls 34 and 50 includemating slots 112 dimensioned for mating with the fastener slots 110 soas to fasten the stand 10 in its operating configuration (FIGS. 38 and39).

While FIGS. 38 to 40 show a pair of fastener slots 110 on the frontattachment wall 108 and one mating slot 112 on each of the first andsecond sidewalls 34 and 50, in general any number of slots 110 andmating slots 112 may be suitably employed in any suitable positions.Additionally or alternatively, the stand 10 in some embodiments includesfasteners (not shown) other than slots (e.g. hook-and-loop, snap,button, clip, etc.) for removably attaching the front attachment wall108 to the first and second sidewalls 34 and 50.

In the seventh embodiment, the front attachment wall 108 is foldablyattached to the front wall 12 at its front bottom edge 14, which isfoldably attached to the lower support 16, which is foldably attached tothe riser wall 20, which is foldably attached to the upper support 24,which is foldably attached to the rear wall 28, which is foldablyattached to the first and second sidewalls 34 and 50 at opposing sideedges 46 and 62 thereof.

Also in the seventh embodiment, the first sidewall 34 is unattached tothe lower support 16 at the first-side lower edge 40; unattached to theriser wall 20 at the first-side riser edge 42; and unattached to theupper support 24 at the first-side top edge 44. Similarly, the secondsidewall 50 is unattached to the lower support 16 at the second-sidelower edge 56; unattached to the riser wall 20 at the second-side riseredge 58; and unattached to the upper support 24 at the second-side topedge 60.

In the operating configuration of the seventh embodiment, the first andsecond sidewalls 34 and 50 are not necessarily parallel to each otherand may be slightly inclined inwardly so as to be closer to each othernear the front wall 12 than the width of the rear wall 28, as shown inFIGS. 38 and 39.

The pass-through 65 of the seventh embodiment shown in FIGS. 39 and 40may be similar or analogous to the pass-throughs 65 described hereinabove in relation to the fifth and sixth embodiments.

The base 66 of the seventh embodiment is defined by the first-sidebottom edge 36, rear bottom edge 32 and the second-side bottom edge 52such that the base 66 is substantially planar when the stand 10 is inits operating configuration. The front bottom edge 14 of the stand 10 ofthe seventh embodiment in its operating configuration is raised abovethe base 66 of the seventh embodiment, thereby inherently creating apass-through 65 at the front wall 12. When the stand 10 according to theseventh embodiment is in its operating configuration, the lower support16 and the upper support 24 are substantially planar and substantiallyparallel to the base 66 at differing distances from the base 66, as canbe seen in FIGS. 38 and 39.

Method of Operation of the Seventh Embodiment

Still referring to FIGS. 38 to 40, when the stand 10 in accordance withthe seventh embodiment is configured in its collapsed configuration(FIG. 40), a user may grasp the stand 10, such as grasping at or nearthe front attachment wall 108, and one or both of the first and secondsidewalls 34 and 50, and maneuver the stand 10 to interfit the fastenerslots 110 into the mating slots 112. In doing so, the lower support 16,riser wall 20 and the upper support 24 are brought into contact with orotherwise proximate to the first sidewall 34 along the first-side loweredge 40, first-side riser edge 42 and the first-side top edge 44,respectively, and are brought into contact with or otherwise proximateto the second sidewall 50 along the second-side lower edge 56,second-side riser edge 58 and the second-side top edge 60, respectively.

Collapsing the stand 10 in accordance with the seventh embodimentinvolves a reverse process of disengaging the fastener slots 110 fromthe mating slots 112. Thereafter, the user unfolds outwardly the frontattachment wall 108, front wall 12, lower support 16, riser wall 20 andthe upper support 24, and unfolds outwardly the first and secondsidewalls 34 and 50 at the first-side rear edge 46 and the second-siderear edge 62, respectively. The user unfolds until the stand 10 isconfigured as a single planar sheet, thereby achieving the collapsedconfiguration. In variations, the stand 10 in the collapsedconfiguration may be folded along one or both of the first-side rearedge 46 and the second-side rear edge 62 so that either or both of thefirst and second sidewalls 34 and 50 are substantially parallel to therear wall 28. Additionally or alternatively, any one or more of thefront bottom edge 14, front edge 18, riser edge 22, top edge 26 and therear top edge 30 may be folded so that one or more of the frontattachment wall 108, front wall 12, lower support 16, riser wall 20,upper support 24 and rear wall 28 become substantially parallel to oneor more of each other.

Eighth Embodiment

FIGS. 41 to 45 show the stand 10 in accordance with an eighth embodimentof the invention, which includes expandable corrugating medium 114forming a honeycomb or other cellular structure which extends betweenthe first and second sidewalls 34 and 50.

In the eighth embodiment shown in FIGS. 41 to 45, the external faces ofthe front wall 12, lower support 16, riser wall 20, upper support 24,rear wall 28 and base 66 are defined by multiple, adjacent edges of thecorrugating medium 114. Such edges are dimensioned such that the base66, lower support 16 and upper support 24 are substantially planar, andsuch that the lower support 16 and upper support 24 are substantiallyparallel to the base 66 at differing distances from the base 66 as canbe seen in FIGS. 41 and 42.

The corrugating medium 114 is sufficiently flexible to permit theexpansion and contraction (or collapsing) of the stand 10, therebypermitting the distance between the first and second sidewalls 34 and 50to be varied. The cellular structure of the corrugating medium 114advantageously provides sufficient structural rigidity to permit thestand 10 to maintain a set distance between the first and secondsidewalls 34 and 50. For example, the stand 10 may be placed on anoperating surface such as a tabletop (not shown) such that the first andsecond sidewalls 34 and 50 are separated from each other by the setdistance. The set distance may be varied according to the user's needsor desires within a specifiable range. The cellular structure of thecorrugating medium 114 also advantageously provides sufficientstructural rigidity to permit the stand 10 to support the item or items(not shown) upon the lower support 16 and the upper support 24 when thestand 10 is placed upon a suitable operating surface (not shown).

In variations, the corrugating medium 114 may be implemented by any oneor more of a suitably pleated material, fluted material,accordion-folded material, or any combination thereof for example. Byway of particular example, the corrugating medium 114 may be constructedin accordance with the Softwall™ product marketed by molo design ltd. ofVancouver, BC, Canada. In some embodiments (not shown), the corrugatingmedium 114 is implemented by material or materials forming one or morescissor-jack type connections between the first and second sidewalls 34and 50, for example.

The cellular structure of the corrugating medium of the stand 10 of theeighth embodiment inherently includes pass-through features.

As shown in FIGS. 42 and 45, any suitable means for maintaining thestand 10 of the eighth embodiment in its collapsed configuration may beemployed.

Method of Operation of the Eighth Embodiment

Still referring to FIGS. 41 to 45, when the stand 10 in accordance withthe eighth embodiment is configured in its collapsed configuration(FIGS. 42 and 45), a user may grasp the stand 10, such as grasping at ornear respective edges of the first and second sidewalls 30 and 54, andseparate the first and second walls 34 and 50 to a desired set distancetherebetween. In doing so, the lower support 16 and the upper support 24defined by edges of the cellular structure of the corrugating medium 114acquire a desired width equal to the set distance. Typically, the base66 is placed in contact with an operating surface such as a tabletop(not shown) so as to facilitate maintaining the set distance while thestand 10 is in use.

Collapsing the stand 10 in accordance with the ninth embodiment involvesa reverse process of contracting the distance between the first andsecond sidewalls 34 and 50 until the stand 10 is in its collapsedconfiguration shown in FIGS. 42 and 45.

Ninth Embodiment

FIGS. 46 to 54 show the stand 10 in accordance with a ninth embodimentof the invention, which includes an interior wall 116 foldably attachedto the interior face of the rear wall 28. The interior wall 116 may beattached to the rear wall 28 using any suitable attachment techniqueincluding adhesive attachment, fastening including being stapled and/orriveted, integrally formed, attached by slot-and-tab connection,attached by other attachment techniques, or any combination thereof forexample. The interior wall 116 includes an interior attachment wall 118foldably attached thereto. The interior attachment wall 118 includes oneor more operating-configuration fastener 102 components attachedthereto. As best seen in FIGS. 52 and 53, mating fastener 102 componentsare disposed on the interior face of the front wall 12.

In the ninth embodiment, the front wall 12 is foldably attached to thelower support 16, which is foldably attached to the riser wall 20, whichis foldably attached to the upper support 24, which is foldably attachedto the rear wall 28.

The interior wall 116 and the interior attachment wall 118 of the ninthembodiment are unattached to the lower support 16, riser wall 20 and theupper support 24. In the operating configuration, the interior wall 116is dimensioned to slidably contact each of the lower support 16, riserwall 20 and the upper support 24. Also in the operating configuration,the interior attachment wall 118 is removably attached to the front wall12 via the operating-configuration fasteners 102 of the ninthembodiment. Fastening the interior attachment wall 118 to the front wall12 advantageously provides support for the lower support 16 and theupper support 24 in the operating configuration.

The base 66 of the ninth embodiment is defined by the front bottom edge14, the rear bottom edge 32 and the attachment wall bottom edge 120 suchthat the base 66 is substantially planar when the stand 10 is in itsoperating configuration. When the stand 10 according to the ninthembodiment is in its operating configuration, the lower support 16 andthe upper support 24 are substantially planar and substantially parallelto the base 66 at differing distances from the base 66, as can be seenin FIGS. 46 and 49.

While FIGS. 46 to 54 show one interior wall 116, one interior attachmentwall 118 and one pair of operating-configuration fasteners 102, anynumber of these parts may be employed. For example, the stand 10 mayinclude any number of parallel, spaced-apart interior walls 116(multiple walls not shown).

While the stand 10 of the ninth embodiment inherently includespass-through features at opposing sides of the interior wall 116, thestand 10 of the ninth embodiment may additionally include any number ofpass-throughs 65 (not shown) of any shape and size in any portion of thestand 10.

The stand 10 of the ninth embodiment includes a pair ofcollapsed-configuration fastener 67 components, disposed on the interiorface of the interior wall 116 where the interior wall 116 attaches tothe rear wall 28, for mating with the operating-configuration fastener102 components disposed on the interior face of the front wall 12 so asto facilitate removably maintaining the stand 10 is in its collapsedconfiguration. In general, any number of collapsed-configurationfasteners 67 may be disposed at any suitable positions of the stand 10of the ninth embodiment.

Method of Operation of the Ninth Embodiment

Still referring to FIGS. 46 to 54, when the stand 10 in accordance withthe ninth embodiment is configured in its collapsed configuration (FIGS.48, 51 and 54), a user may grasp the stand 10, such as grasping at ornear the rear wall 28 and one or more of the front wall 12, lowersupport 16, riser wall 20 and upper support 24; maneuver the stand 10 toapproximate the operating configuration; maneuver the interior wall 116and/or the interior attachment wall 118 so as to place the interiorattachment wall 118 proximate to the operating-configuration fastener102 components of the front wall 12; and mate theoperating-configuration fasteners 102 so as to removably attach theinterior attachment wall 118 to the front wall 12. In doing so, thelower support 16, riser wall 20 and the upper support 24 are broughtinto contact with or otherwise proximate to the interior wall 116.

Collapsing the stand 10 in accordance with the ninth embodiment involvesa reverse process of disengaging the operating-configuration fastener102 components. Thereafter, the user rotatably folds or unfolds theinterior wall 116 toward a position substantially parallel to the rearwall 28. In doing so, the front wall 12 is permitted to move closer tothe rear wall 28 as the upper support 24 is rotated upward toward aposition substantially coplanar with the rear wall 28. These actions arecontinued until the interior wall 116, front wall 12 and the lowersupport 16 are substantially parallel to the rear wall 28; until theriser wall 20 and the upper support 24 are substantially parallel toeach other; and until the upper support 24 is substantially coplanarwith the rear wall 28, thereby achieving the collapsed configuration.

Tenth Embodiment

FIGS. 55 to 57 show the stand 10 in accordance with a tenth embodimentof the invention, in which the base 66 is defined by the first-sidebottom edge 36, the front bottom edge 14 and the second-side bottom edge52 such that the base 66 is substantially planar. Unlike the stand 10 inaccordance with the first to ninth embodiments, the stand 10 inaccordance with the tenth embodiment is open at its rear (therebyinherently including pass-through features), is non-folding and is notcollapsible. While FIGS. 55 to 57 show the stand 10 as being fully openat its rear, in general the stand 10 in accordance with the tenthembodiment may include the rear wall 28 (not shown in FIGS. 55 to 57) soas to be closed at its rear. In a variation, the rear wall 28 mayinclude cutouts or other features (not shown) such that the stand 10 ofthe tenth embodiment is partly closed at its rear. The lower support 16and the upper support 24 of the tenth embodiment are substantiallyplanar and parallel to the base 66 at differing distances, as can beseen in FIGS. 55 to 57.

The stand 10 in accordance with the tenth embodiment is stackable andcan be stacked by placing the interior surface of the stand 10 in closeproximity to the exterior surface of another stand 10. Multiple numberof stands 10 may be stacked for convenient storage and handling when notin use, and/or to modify the height of the stand 10 when in use.

As with the stand 10 in accordance with all embodiments, the tenthembodiment stand 10 may be suitably used by placing the stand 10 at adesired location, and placing an item or items on either or both of thelower support 16 and the upper support 24. When not in use, the stand 10in accordance with all embodiments may be stored for future use.

Features of Multiple Embodiments

The walls 12, 20, 28, 34, 50, 104 to 108, 116 and 118; supports 16 and24; flaps 84 to 98 and similar parts of the stand 10 in accordance withany embodiment may be made of any suitable material or materials,including cardboard such as corrugated cardboard and/or solid cardboard,paper including fluted paper, wood including particle board and plywoodsuch as 3D-molded plywood, plastic including corrugated plastic,injection-molded plastic and vacuum-formed plastic, metal includingsheet metal and stamped, rolled including cold-rolled, forged andpressed metal such as pressed aluminium, fabric and other textilesincluding natural and synthetic textiles and including woven andnon-woven textiles, felt including molded felt, laminations ofsheet-like materials in any combination, other related materials, andany combination thereof for example. The stand 10 in accordance with thetenth embodiment is particularly suited to being made of plasticincluding injection-molded plastic and vacuum-formed plastic, pressedaluminium, molded felt, 3D-molded plywood, related materials, and anycombination thereof for example.

The stand 10 in accordance with any embodiment may be manufactured usingany suitable technique, including using paper, paperboard and/orcardboard manufacturing techniques, woodworking, metalworking includingsheet-metal forming and aluminium pressing, plastics engineeringincluding injection-molding and vacuum forming, other molding techniquessuch as felt molding, related manufacturing processes, and anycombination thereof for example. The stand 10 in accordance with thetenth embodiment is particularly suitable for being manufactured usingmolding including injection-molding and 3D-molding, vacuum forming,pressing, related techniques, and any combination thereof for example.

The stand 10 in at least some embodiments preferably forms a single,unitary item or otherwise is not detachable into separate parts, suchthat the stand is unitary. For example, even when the interior wall 116is detached at its interior attachment wall 118, the interior wall 116remains attached along the interior face of the rear wall 28 to theremainder of the stand 10 so as to preserve the unitary nature of thestand 10. The unitary nature of the stand 10 advantageously enhancesease of handling, storage and use and, for at least some embodiments,advantageously lowers manufacturing costs.

While the terms “front” (e.g. front wall 12), “rear” (e.g. rear wall28), “downward” (i.e. in a direction toward the base 66), “upward” (i.e.in a direction away from the base 66), “vertical” (i.e. along adirection perpendicular to the plane of the base 66), “horizontal” (i.e.along a direction parallel to the plane of the base 66), “inward” (i.e.in a direction generally toward the center of the stand 10, the centerbeing defined when the stand 10 is in its operating configuration) and“outward” (i.e. in a direction generally away from the center of thestand 10) are used herein for ease of description, in general the stand10 may be used when facing any direction and in any orientation relativeto the direction of gravity. While reference is made to supporting anitem when the stand 10 is in its operating configuration, in general anynumber of items or component parts thereof may be supported at either orboth of the lower support 16 and the upper support 24.

Thus, there is provided a supporting stand for supporting an item, thestand comprising a base for defining a substantially planar region ofthe stand; a lower support for supporting the item at a first distancefrom said base; and an upper support for supporting the item at a seconddistance from said base, the second distance being greater than thefirst distance.

While embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated,such embodiments should be considered illustrative of the inventiononly. The invention may include variants not described or illustratedherein in detail. Thus, the embodiments described and illustrated hereinshould not be considered to limit the invention as construed inaccordance with the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A supporting stand for supporting an item, thestand comprising: (a) a base for defining a substantially planar regionof the stand; (b) a substantially planar lower support for supportingthe item at a first distance from said base; (c) a substantially planarupper support for supporting the item at a second distance from saidbase, the second distance being greater than the first distance; (d) asubstantially planar front wall extending at least partway between thebase and the lower support; and (e) at least three substantially planarwalls selected from the group consisting of: a rear wall extendingbetween the base and the upper support; a riser wall extending betweenthe lower support and the upper support; first and second parallel,spaced-apart sidewalls extending between the base and the lower andupper supports; and an interior wall extending between the base and thelower and upper supports.
 2. The stand of claim 1 wherein the stand ismade of sheet-like material, the stand being collapsible into asubstantially planar collapsed configuration and extendable into anoperating configuration.
 3. The stand of claim 2 wherein the front wallextends the entire distance between the base and the lower support whenthe stand is in said operating configuration.
 4. The stand of claim 3comprising the riser wall, wherein the riser wall and the lower supportare foldably attached to each other and wherein the lower support andthe front wall are foldably attached to each other.
 5. The stand ofclaim 4 wherein the riser wall and the upper support are foldablyattached to each other.
 6. The stand of claim 5 comprising the first andsecond sidewalls.
 7. The stand of claim 6 wherein the front wall isfoldably attached to each of the first and second sidewalls.
 8. Thestand of claim 7 comprising the rear wall, wherein the rear wall isfoldably attached to each of the first and second sidewalls.
 9. Thestand of claim 8 wherein the rear wall and the upper support arefoldably attached to each other.
 10. The stand of claim 1 comprising thefirst and second sidewalls, each of the first and second sidewalls beingfoldable, the stand being made of sheet-like material, the stand beingcollapsible into a substantially planar collapsed configuration andextendable into an operating configuration.
 11. The stand of claim 10wherein the first sidewall comprises a first-side fold disposed partwaybetween a first-side front edge of the first sidewall and a first-siderear edge of the first sidewall, the first-side fold extending betweenthe base and the lower support when the stand is in said operatingconfiguration; and the second sidewall comprises a second-side folddisposed partway between a second-side front edge of the second sidewalland a second-side rear edge of the second sidewall, the second-side foldextending between the base and the lower support when the stand is insaid operating configuration.
 12. The stand of claim 11 wherein each ofthe first and second sidewalls is folded when the stand is in saidcollapsed configuration.
 13. The stand of claim 12 wherein each of thefirst and second sidewalls is dimensioned to slidably contact each ofthe lower and upper supports when the stand is in said operatingconfiguration.
 14. The stand of claim 13 wherein the front wall extendsthe entire distance between the base and the lower support when thestand is in said operating configuration.
 15. The stand of claim 14comprising the riser wall, wherein the riser wall and the lower supportare foldably attached to each other and wherein the lower support andthe front wall are foldably attached to each other.
 16. The stand ofclaim 15 wherein the riser wall and the upper support are foldablyattached to each other.
 17. The stand of claim 16 wherein the front wallis foldably attached to each of the first and second sidewalls.
 18. Thestand of claim 17 comprising the rear wall, the stand further comprisinga fastener for removably fastening the front wall and the rear wall toeach other.
 19. The stand of claim 18 wherein the rear wall is foldablyattached to each of the first and second sidewalls.
 20. The stand ofclaim 19 wherein the rear wall and the upper support are foldablyattached to each other.
 21. The stand of claim 20 wherein each of thelower support and the upper support is substantially parallel to thebase when the stand is in said operating configuration.
 22. The stand ofclaim 21 wherein the lower support and the upper support are verticallynon-overlapping when the stand is in said operating configuration. 23.The stand of claim 22 wherein the sheet-like material is cardboard. 24.The stand of claim 23 further comprising a pass-through.
 25. The standof claim 24 wherein the stand is unitary.